Focus Bear

Overview

Focus Bear brings routines, distraction blocking and break prompts into one productivity app, with a particular emphasis on ADHD. It suits people who want support for both focused work and daily transitions across phone and computer. Its scope is a strength, but the free plan’s caps may make Pro necessary for regular, sustained use.

Key features

Focus Bear blocks websites and apps with block lists, allow lists, schedules and recurring schedules; locked sessions and the stricter Grizzly Bear mode add more structure when a block is underway. This makes it a better fit for people who want deliberate, scheduled boundaries than for someone seeking only an occasional timer. Essentials allows up to five websites or apps, while Pro removes that cap and adds AI-powered blocking and focus modes.

Customizable morning and evening routines guide users through habits one at a time. The free plan allows up to three habits per routine, enough for a short sequence but restrictive for a more elaborate one. Break prompts address another common obstacle to sustained focus: Focus Bear detects hyperfocus and suppresses reminders during meetings. Essentials allows three break activities; meeting detection is a Pro feature.

Starting a deep-work block on a computer can automatically put the phone into Zen mode and block distracting apps. Focus Bear says its cloud sync keeps data and focus modes synchronized across devices. Together, these features make the app relevant to people trying to carry a work boundary from desktop to phone, rather than relying on separate tools.

Calendar events can trigger a habit or focus mode through Late No More when an event title contains fbtrigger followed by the activity name. The app says it does not log keystrokes or take screenshots, and that it logs only user-provided Focus Block and quantified-self information. Its privacy policy describes technical and organizational measures under GDPR Article 32 and names AWS and Auth0 among its processors. Focus Bear also describes its approach as research-backed and says it has run a randomized controlled trial to measure impact.

Pricing

Essentials is free. It includes a Pomodoro timer capped at 25 minutes, up to five websites or apps, up to three habits per routine and three break activities, but no AI blocking. That is a useful starting point for a basic routine and a small set of distractions; the caps are a real constraint for people building broader or longer focus sessions.

Pro costs $9.99 a month, billed monthly, and has a 7-day trial. It includes unlimited website and app blocking, AI-powered blocking, focus modes, focus music, meeting detection and accountability partner features. Pro is the more suitable plan for ongoing cross-device use or for anyone who would quickly exceed Essentials’ limits. The trial gives prospective users a week to assess the paid features before paying; the price is monthly rather than a one-time purchase.

Platforms

Focus Bear runs on Android, iOS, macOS and Windows. It has mobile apps for iOS and Android, and supports scheduled, recurring and locked blocking sessions. Browser extensions are not offered, so people looking specifically for an extension-based setup should consider another option.

Who it's for

Focus Bear is designed by and for people with ADHD, and its combination of guided routines, break prompts and device blocking reflects that emphasis. It can also suit anyone who wants to shape morning and evening habits alongside work focus. Australians with disabilities may qualify for the NDIA program, which offers 2,000 people a fully funded one-year premium license with onboarding and support.

Pros and cons

Pro: Routines, scheduled blocking and break support sit alongside cross-device phone Zen mode, helping users address several parts of a workday in one app.

Pro: Locked sessions, allow lists and a stricter blocking mode give people more control over how firm their focus boundaries are.

Pro: The stated privacy approach rules out keystroke logging and screenshots, while describing GDPR Article 32 measures.

Con: Essentials’ five-target cap, 25-minute Pomodoro maximum and three-habit routine limit may be too restrictive for regular use.

Con: AI blocking, focus modes and meeting detection require Pro at $9.99 a month.

Con: There is no browser extension, which rules out an extension-only workflow.

Alternatives

For a broader menu of options, browse Distraction Blocking Software. Choose Freedom instead if you want a blocker with a free tier that includes multi-device sync, custom blocklists and website exceptions; its free tier also has limited features. Pluckeye is a free alternative that includes all of its features, making it worth considering if avoiding a paid plan matters more than Focus Bear’s routines and break support.

one sec may suit someone who wants intervention types and time tracking alongside website blocking; its Pro plan is $6.99 a month, billed monthly. Opal is another freemium option, with a free plan that includes one rule, basic timers and soundscapes, app blocking and a daily Opal Score. Consider FocusMe if a one-time payment appeals: its Lifetime plan costs 249.00 USD once and includes core features.

Cold Turkey Blocker is an option for website blocking with timed blocks, exceptions and statistics on its free plan. Jomo may fit a more limited iOS and macOS setup: its free plan allows one session, one action or limit, and one screen-time budget. Phone-Free 2FA is a free, narrower choice for browser-based TOTP accounts; it has no central recovery or sync.

Verdict

Focus Bear is the strongest fit for someone with ADHD, or anyone else seeking one place for routines, structured blocking and break prompts across phone and computer. Its cross-device approach and range of controls are compelling; the deciding drawback is that Essentials’ limits arrive quickly if blocking and routines are central to the workflow. Choose Pro if its added controls justify a recurring 9.99 USD monthly cost, and look elsewhere if you need a browser extension or a blocker without those free-plan caps.